In 1854, as the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad Company made plans to lay track through the Green Bay Trail north of Chicago, builder Charles Peck subdivided the surrounding woods. His wife Sarah declared that they must name this land Winnetka, meaning "beautiful land" in Native American. There is no proof that the word means "beautiful land" in any language--but all who visit Winnetka agree it is an apt description. Bordered by Lake Michigan and the...